Circuit-closing switch.



w. GRUNOW, JR.

CIRCUIT CLOSING SWIT CH.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 16, 1915.

1 ,1 68 1 95 g Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

Elwue/wtox Tm: COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. c

(inc M104 5 I W. GRUNOW, JR.

CIRCUIT CLOSING SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.16, I915.

1,168,1 95. Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

MIHHHII THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH cn., WASHINGTON, D. c.

WILLIAM enuivow, JR, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

CIRCUIT-CLOSING SWITCH.

Application filed January 16, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, TVILLIAM GRUNow, J12, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circuit- Closing Switches, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the figures of reference marked thereon.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in circuit closing switches, and more particularly to switches wherein the circuit is normally open and is closed only for a certain time interval, after which it is again automatically opened.

An object of the invention is to provide a switch of the above character wherein a horizontally rotating momentum wheel may be utilized for closing the circuit and for automatically opening the sameafter a time interval.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch of the above character wherein the tendency to recoil when the switch is operated by a rapidly moving part is entirely absorbed by the momentum wheel being raised against the action of gravity, this raising of the momentum wheel also operating to store power for returning the same to normal position with the circuit open.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a switch of the above character with a comparatively light spring which cooperates with the momentum wheel in returning the same to normal position.

These and other objects will in part be obvious, and will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the drawingswhich show by wayof illustration one embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a switch embodying my improvements; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view; Fig. 4 is a plan view, the arch being in section and the cover removed to expose the parts of the switch.

The invention consists generally in providing a circuit closingswitch wherein a bridge is normally held out of engagement with its cooperating terminal contacts and is moved into engagement therewith for a time interval by a horizontally rotating mo Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

Serial No. 2,687.

mentum wheel. This momentum Wheel is set into motion by a tripper, which may be operated by a passing car. This momentum wheel is so mounted as to be raised when rotated for closing the switch, and the raising of the momentum wheel not only stores power for returning the same to auto-matically open the switch, but also entirely absorbs the recoil when said tripper is operated by av rapidly moving car. A spring is also associated with the momentum wheel for assisting gravity in returning the momentum wheel to normal position, but this spring is of comparatively light tension.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, my improved switch consists of a supporting frame 1, preferably of cast metal and provided with end lugs 2, 2, by which the switch can be secured to the trolley wire 3, see Figs. 1 and 2, by means of ears 4, 4t and bolts 5, 5. Centrally of the frame is an arch 6 which is preferably formed integral with the frame. This arch is provided with two opposite hubs or bearings 7, 7 in which is supported the operating parts of the switch. A sheet metal cover 8 is adapted to engage the frame and the arch and inclose the parts of the switch.

Extending through the hubs or bearings 7, 7, is a rod 9. Freely mounted on this rod 9 is a tripper 10. Said tripper is preferably made of sheet metal and is provided with a cut-away portion 11, so that the tripper will extend to a point below each side of the trolley wire 3. This tripper is preferably riveted to the supporting hubs 12, 12, which turn freely on the rod 9.

A vertical fixed shaft 13 is provided with a head let having an opening therethrough for the rod 9. This shaft at its upper end engages a recess in the arch as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The rod 9 and the recess in the arch serve as a means for supporting the vertical shaft and holding the same from rotating. The shaft 13 above the head 14E is reduced in diameter and is provided with a spiral thread or ledge 15. A momentum wheel 16 is mounted to rotate freely on this vertical shaft. Said momentum wheel has a projecting hub 17 and a central recess which engages the enlarged head 14 of the shaft and the spiral thread or ledge 15 thereon.

The momentum wheel carries a supporting stud 17, which is located in a. radial recess formed inthe momentum wheel and T is held therein by a suitable screw 18. Mounted on the inner end of this supporting stud 17 is a roller 19, adapted to engage the upper face of the spiral thread or ledge 15.

A spiral spring 20 extends about the vertical shaft 13 and is connected at its lower end with the hub of the momentum wheel, as at 21, and is connected at its upper end with the arch as at 22. This spring is so coiled relative to the shaft 13 that when the momentum wheel 16 is turned in the direction of the arrow, as indicated in Fig. a, said spring is put under tension and the roller 19 will ascend the spiral thread or ledge 15, thus raising the momentum wheel.

The momentum wheel is rotated by the tripper 10. Said tripper has an upwardly projecting finger 23. On the lower face of the momentum wheel there is a downwardly projecting lug 24. When the parts are in normal position, that is, with the momentum wheel in its lowermost position, and the tripper hangs vertically from its supporting red, the finger 23 and the lug 21 are in contact, as shown in Fig. 1. A movement of the tripper in the direction of the arrow in this figure, will rotate the momentum wheel 16. This rotation of the momentum wheel will cause the roller 19 to move up on the spiral thread, thus raising the momentum wheel. The raising of the momentum wheel also puts the spring 20 under further tension, thus storing power in the spring, which coiiperates with the stored power in the momentum wheel caused by the raising of the momentum wheel for returning the same to normal position. The momentum wheel is also provided with a downwardly projecting pin 25 adapted to make contact with a. projecting lug 26 carried by the frame 1 and determines the normal position of the momentum wheel.

Secured at one corner of the ribbed frame of the switch is a post 27. This post through the frame 1 and ears 1 is connected with the trolley wire, and, therefore, forms one terminal of the switch. The post 27 carries one terminal finger 28 of the switch. At the top end of the post 27 is an insulated block 29, and this block supports the other terminal finger 30 of the switch. The terminal finger 30 is connected to a wire 31, which is the feeder running out from the switch, preferably through a suitable in sulating bushing 32.

The terminal fingers 28 and 30 are adapted to be connected by a bridge 33. This bridge 33 is mounted in a sleeve of insulating material 34 carried at the outer end of a lever 35; The lever 35 is pivotally supported on a rod 36 mounted in a sleeve 37 carried by the arch 6. Said lever is provided with a roller 38. The hub 17 of the momentum wheel is formed with a notch 39 in which the roller is adapted to rest when the momentum wheel. is in normal position. A spring 40 secured at 1 to the lever and to the arch 6, serves to turn the lever about its pivotal support and holds the roller 38 in the recess 39. When the lever is in this position, the bridge 33 is out of contact with the terminal fingers 28 and 30.

A movement of the momentum wheel in the direction of the arrow, as shown in Fig. 1, will cause the roller to ride up on to the outer periphery of the hub 17, and this will swing the lever so as to cause the bridge to connect the terminal fingers 28 and 30.

The rod 9 at the outer end thereof is provided with sleeved ears 40, d0, one of which carries a pin 1-1 adapted to engage a hole in the frame or arch of the switch and this will hold both the ears in upright position. These ears are for attaching guy wires thereto, which are adapted to extend to stationary supports, and these guy wires operate to hold the switch box vertically above the trolley wire as well as from vibration.

From the above it will be apparent that when the switch is in normal position, the bridge 33 is out of contact with the terminal fingers 28 and 30, and, therefore, the switch is open. I

My improved switch is preferably adapted to be used for closing a circuit for an interval of time in connection with the block signal system, and I have, therefore, shown the same associated with a trolley wire in such manner that the trolley of the car will engage the tripper for operating the switch. Then the tripper is swung in the direction of the arrow in 1, the momentum wheel 16 is rotated. No matter what may be the speed of the trolley car, the momentum wheel itself will take up the recoil. The rotating of the momentum wheel moves the lever 35 so as to cause the bridge 33 to engage the terminal fingers 28 and 30, and thus establish a circuit from the trolley wire to the feeder. This movement of the momentum wheel raises the same through the action of the roller 19 ascending the spiral thread. The raising of the momentum wheel against the action of gravity stores power for the purpose of returning the mo mentum wheel to normal position.

The spring 20 which is associated with the momentum wheel is preferably of a very light tension and assists gravity in returning the momentum wheel, and also assists gravity in retarding the rotation of the momen tum wheel when it is operated by the tripper 10. As soon as the power applied to rotating the momentum wheel has been ab sorbed, then gravity and the spring 20 will at once operate upon the momentum wheel to turn the same in the opposite direction, and bring said momentum wheel. back to normal position. When the momentum wheel --reacl1es its normal position with the stop pin 25 against the lug 26, the roller 38 willbe brought into register with the recess 39 and the spring 40 will operate to move the lever so as to disengage the bridge from the terminal fingers. It will, therefore, be, apparent that the switch will be automatically opened through the action of the momentum wheel, but this opening of the switch requires a time interval, so that no matter how rapidly the tripper may be actuated the switch will be closed and held closed for a time interval, after which it will be opened.

The movements of the lever 35 in closing the switch are positive and the roller 38 engaging the outer face of the hub of the momentum wheel will positively hold the'switch closed.

In my improved switch, the circuit is es tablished by bridging two fixed terminals, each insulated from the other and thereby the arc at the break is minimized to such extent as to render it impossible of mainte nance after the circuit has been fully opened.

It will be further apparent that my improved switch is of few parts, and, therefore. can be made of minimum weight to be carried directly by the trolley wire. Furthermore, the working parts are readily accessible for inspection and replacement.

The momentum wheel is preferably so proportioned that the operation of the trippcr for rotating the same will turn the momentum wheel less than a complete rotation. The momentum wheel being raised during its rotation will, therefore, gradually come to a stop before its return movement, so there is practically no recoil, the recoil so to speak being absorbed by the movements of the momentum wheel. The power for returning the momentum wheel is stored in the spring and in the momentum wheel by the raising of the same.

Vhile I have described my invention as particularly adapted for use in connection with electric signaling, it will be understood that the circuit closing switch may be used for other purposes.

\Vhile I have also described the circuit closing switch as capable of operation by a movement of the tripper in one direction only, it will be obvious that by slight modifications the switch may be operated by a movement of the tripper in either direction.

It will be also obvious that minor changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made, without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A circuit closing switch comprising a horizontally rotating momentum wheel, devices controlled thereby for closing the switch upon a movement of the momentum wheel in one direction and for opening the switch upon a movement of'the momentum wheel in the opposite direction, and devices cotiperating with said momentum wheel for raising the same during the closing of the switch for storing power for automatically returning the momentum wheel to normal position for opening the switch.

2. A circuit closing switch comprising a horizontally rotating momentum wheel, de vices controlled thereby for closing the switch upon amovement of the momentum wheel in one direction and for opening the switch upon a movement of the momentum wheel in the opposite direction, devices cooperating with said momentum wheel for raising the same during the closing of the switch for storing power for automatically returning the momentum wheel to normal position for opening the switch, and a. spring associated with said momentum wheel for retarding the movement of said wheel when closing the switch and for accelerating said wheel when opening the switch.

3. A. circuit closing switch comprising a horizontally rotating momentum wheel, devices controlled thereby for closing the switch by the movement of the wheel in one direction and for opening the switch upon the movement of the wheel in the opposite direction, a fixed shaft supporting said wheel, said shaft having a spiral thread thereon, and means iarried by the momentum wheel for engaging said spiral thread, whereby said momentum wheel is raised when moved for closing the switch. I

i. A circuit closing switch comprising a horizontally rotating momentum wheel, devices controlled thereby for closing the switch by the movement of the wheel in one direction and for opening the switch upon the movement of the wheel in the opposite direction, a fixed shaft supporting said wheel, said shaft having a spiral thread thereon, means carried by the momentum wheel for engaging said spiral thread, whereby said momentum wheel is raised when moved for closing the switch, a tripper, and a finger carried by said tripper for engaging a lug on the momentum wheel for rotating the same.

5. A circuit closing switch comprising a horizontally rotating momentum wheel, devices controlled thereby for closing the switch by the movement of the wheel in one direction and for opening the switch upon the movement of the wheel in the opposite direction, a fixed shaft supporting said wheel, said. shaft having a spiral thread thereon, means carried by the momentum wheel for engaging said spiral thread, whereby said momentum wheel is raised when moved for closing the switch, a spring surrounding said shaft and connected to lot) said momentum wheel, said spring being placed under tension when said momentum wheel is rotated to close the switch.

6. A circuit closing switch comprising a supporting frame, a rod carried by said frame, a tripper mounted to oscillate freely on said rod, a horizontally rotating momentum wheel, a fixed vertical shaft supporting said momentum wheel, said vertical shaft having a spiral thread thereon adapted to extend into a recess in the hub of the momentum wheel, a roller carried by the momentum wheel and engaging said thread, and devices operated by said momentum wheel for closing the circuit when said momentum wheel is turned in one direction and for opening the circuit when said momentum wheel is turned in the opposite direction.

7. A circuit closing switch comprising a supporting frame, a. rod carried by said frame, a tripper mounted to oscillate freely on said rod, a horizontally rotating momentum wheel,a fixed vertical shaft supporting said momentum wheel, said vertical shaft having a spiral thread thereon adapted to extend into a recess in the hub of the momentum wheel, a roller carriedby the momentum wheel and engaging said thread, spaced terminal fingers, a bridge for connecting said fingers, a lever supporting said bridge, means whereby said lever is oscillated by said momentum wheel when turned in one direction for closing the switch and when turned in the opposite direction for permitting the switch to be opened.

8. A circuit closing switch comprising a supporting frame, a horizontally rotating momentum wheel carried thereby, a tripper supported by said frame and having means for engaging and rotating said momentum wheel, spaced terminal fingers carried by said frame, a bridge for connecting said ter minal fingers, a lever supporting said bridge, said momentum wheel having a hub formed thereon with a recess in its side face, said lever havingaroller adapted to engage said hub and the recess therein, a shaft for supporting said momentum wheel, a spiral thread carried thereby, a roller carried by said momentum wheel and engaging said.

to restore said switch to normal open position.

9. A circuit closing switch comprising a supporting frame, a horizontally rotating momentum'wheel carried thereby, a tripper supported by said frame andhaving means for engaging and rotating said momentum wheel, spaced terminal fingers carried by said frame, a bridge for connecting said terminal fingers, a lever supporting said bridge, said momentum wheel having a hub formed thereon with a recess in its side face, said lever having a roller adapted to engage said hub and the recess therein, a shaft for supporting said momentum wheel, a spiral thread carried thereby, a roller carried by said momentum wheel and engaging said spiral thread, whereby when said momentum wheel is turned to shift the lever to cause the bridge to contact with said fingers, said momentum wheel is raised, and whereby gravity will return said momentum wheel to restore said switch to normal open position, and a spring for engaging said momentum wheel, said spring being placed un der tension when the wheel is turned for closing the switch and operating to assist gravity to return the wheel in the opposite direction to automatically open the switch.

In testimony whereof, I aifix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM GRUN OW, J R.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

' Washington, I). C. 

